Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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In this video, IWM Curator Michelle Kirby takes an in depth look at Britain's 'Protect and Survive' public information campaign; and why it failed.

00:00 - A nation on edge
00:49 - What was Protect and Survive?
02:20 - The intention
03:23 - Cold War Tensions
04:15 - Stay at home
05:15 - The advice
06:45 - Warning systems
09:10 - Historical civil defence advice
11:38 - Tone of voice
13:10 - The leaks and controversy
14:39 - Public reception
16:25 - Satirical poster
17:33 - The campaign's legacy

Explore and licence the film clips used in this video:
film.iwmcollections.org.uk/collections/_QA3mgm2X

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Target London and CND Posters ©Peter Kennard

Attributions:
Pershing Missiles image courtesy of DVIDS
CND Banner Image - commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CND_banner_(March_2011).jpg